Quality of Fuel Circulation in Society is Guaranteed Safe and Authentic According to Specifications
By: Puteri Nababan
PT Pertamina (Persero), through its subholding Pertamina Patra Niaga, has emphasized that the fuel distributed to the public remains in accordance with the specifications set by the government. This statement ensures that the public receives fuel products of the highest quality that meet the price they pay. The government continues to enhance supervision and regulations to ensure that fuel distribution remains transparent and benefits the wider community.
Corporate Secretary of Pertamina Patra Niaga, Heppy Wulansari, stressed that the products entering Pertamina’s fuel terminals undergo strict quality control in compliance with the established standards. Pertalite has an RON of 90, while Pertamax has an RON of 92, ensuring that the fuel quality used by the public remains optimal. There are no practices of mixing or altering the octane number that would affect fuel quality before distribution. The only treatment applied is the addition of coloring agents (dyes) to differentiate fuel types and the injection of additives to improve the performance of Pertamax.
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, also stated that the circulating fuel quality meets the respective standards. The government is committed to ensuring that the public receives fuel in line with the specified standards. To maintain transparency and ensure fuel quality, the Ministry of ESDM will establish a special team responsible for overseeing fuel distribution to the public.
Meanwhile, the suspicion of fuel mixing arose from a legal case currently handled by the Attorney General’s Office regarding the procurement of crude oil and fuel during the period of 2018-2023. The Attorney General’s Office has named seven suspects in this case, including senior officials of PT Pertamina and several private parties. However, these suspicions are more related to the governance of crude oil procurement and not the quality of fuel circulating in society. This clarification is important to prevent misunderstandings in the community.
In response to the issue, the Acting President Director of Pertamina Patra Niaga, Mars Ega Legowo, explained that the fuel supply scheme, particularly RON 90 and RON 92, comes from two sources: domestic production from Pertamina’s refineries and imports. The products received at the terminals are already in their final form, without any alteration of the octane number. The processes only involve adding additives and dyes as part of the standard procedures in the oil and gas industry.
Pertamina Patra Niaga also ensures that the entire fuel distribution process is closely monitored by the Downstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency (BPH Migas). In addition, the company continues to uphold good corporate governance (GCG) principles to ensure that every stage of fuel procurement and distribution is transparent and accountable. Therefore, the public need not worry about the quality of the fuel they consume.
To ensure the sustainability of fuel supply with guaranteed quality, the government has also begun reforming the fuel import licensing system. Minister Bahlil Lahadalia revealed that fuel import permits, which were previously given for a one-year period, will now be granted for six months, with periodic evaluations every three months. This step aims to enhance supervision and ensure that imported fuel meets the established standards.
Furthermore, the government is reviewing policies to optimize the use of domestically produced crude oil. Previously, some of the crude oil was exported, but the government now plans to refine it domestically to ensure a more reliable fuel supply and reduce dependence on imports. In this context, the practice of blending fuel domestically is seen as a strategic solution that still prioritizes quality and refinery specifications.
The Vice President of Corporate Communication at Pertamina, Fadjar Djoko Santoso, added that the fuel products reaching the public have gone through a series of strict oversight procedures. He confirmed that Pertamax distributed by Pertamina truly meets the RON 92 standard, as specified by the regulations. This statement once again affirms that the issue of fuel mixing circulating in the community is baseless and does not reflect the reality in the field.
In facing various speculations, the public is encouraged to remain calm and trust the monitoring mechanisms that have been implemented by both the government and Pertamina. With commitments from various parties to ensure fuel quality, the safe and quality energy distribution for the public can continue. More stringent oversight and reforms in fuel procurement policies are also crucial steps in ensuring transparency and accountability in the national energy sector.
In conclusion, it can be affirmed that the quality of fuel circulating in society is guaranteed and in line with the specifications set by the government. Various oversight efforts, policy evaluations, and the implementation of good governance principles serve as assurances that the public receives the best quality fuel. Moving forward, the synergy between the government, Pertamina, and regulatory agencies is expected to strengthen the fuel distribution system to be more transparent and accountable for the benefit of the wider community.
)* The author is an energy policy observer.
